Drowning – what to do in a emergency

Even though it’s not summer yet, the hot temperatures during the past weeks could mean an even hotter summer, meaning people will find many different ways to cool down. For some Joburg residents its means getting to the closest swimming pool.  

Drowning incidents are still occurring and, in some cases, people aren’t sure what to do in such an emergency situation at home or a public swimming pool.

Netcare has provided some tips on what to do in the event of drowning:

• Get the victim out of the water as soon as possible, but do not become a victim yourself. Make sure it is safe for you to enter the water first
• Handle the person with care. Many submersion incidents are associated with neck injuries, keep movement to the back and neck to a minimum
• Assess to see if the person is awake by asking: “Hello, can you hear me?”
• Check for breathing by looking at the chest for no longer than 10 seconds. If the person is not breathing or not breathing normally (for example gasping), call immediately for medical assistance
• Do not hang up the call until the medical assistant on the phone tells you can do so
• If the person is not breathing, immediately start CPR, beginning with chest compressions. Keep doing CPR at a ratio of 30 chest compressions, and then two breaths
• CPR is vital even if an amateur is administering it, keep at it until someone trained in advanced life support arrives and can take over
• Adult CPR differs from child CPR, parents have been advised they need to learn how to administer child CPR.

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